square leg

In the game of cricket, square leg is a fielding position that is located at exactly 90 degrees from the batter, on the on side. Variations include:

silly leg - located dangerously close to the batter

short leg - located closer than usual to the batter

deep square leg - located further than usual from the batter, perhaps on the boundary

Like point, square leg is defined by its angle of 90 degrees from the batter. As such it can never be moved squarer.

Square leg is typically a defensive position that is required to stop deflections off the pad or bat, as well as the hook, pull, and sweep. One of the difficulties of square leg is the proximity of the square leg umpire, who often interrupts sight lines, or stands in exactly the spot the square leg fielder would like to stand.